Samoa and New Zealand are expected to have an ongoing conversation about Samoa’s request for assistance for a new sports complex.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a press conference at Faleolo International Airport Thursday afternoon that no decision has been made.
“I imagine and anticipate that it will be an ongoing conversation between New Zealand and Samoa and no decisions taken at this time but it was a topic of discussions,” added Prime Minister Ardern.
In general she said that the proposal is but one of the sports-related issues on the table during the bilateral talks with Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.
“I will certainly acknowledge that with the Prime Minister (Tuilaepa) we did discuss the issue of sports and not just recent results and I did of course congratulate him on the successful hosting of the Pacific Games,” she continued.
“But we did talk more generally about issues around sports diplomacy, infrastructure and so on.”
PM Ardern held a press conference at the airport on her return from her first official to Tokelau.
Earlier this week Prime Minister Tuilaepa told the TV1 Taimi ma le Palemia and Talamua.Com weekly programmes, that he has relayed a request to his New Zealand counterpart during bilateral talks over the weekend to assist with a new National Sports Stadium at Tuanaimato.
And he says his request signals the start of further negotiations on the matter.
The Prime Minister is aware of the lengthy process in reviewing proposals of this nature but most important to him he says is that it signals a call for help to New Zealand in efforts to secure assistance for a new complex to host international sporting events including international rugby fixtures.
Photo supplied Caption: NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at the press conference at Faleolo International Airport in Samoa